Korean J Sports Med.  2024 Sep;42(3):202-211. 10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.3.202.

Exploring Factors Related to Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-aged Women: A Study of Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Physical Activity

• Choi Y
• Kwon YH
• Park YH
• Chin M
• Hahn S
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2558668
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.3.202

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of study is to analyze the associations between menopause symptoms, including sleep quality and depressive symptoms, and body composition, physical fitness, and physical activity indices in middle-aged women.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 91 women aged 45 to 55 years. The study employed the Menopause Rating Scale to assess menopausal symptoms, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate sleep quality, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale to measure depressive symptoms. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by breath-by-breath respiratory exchange during an incremental cycle ergometer, while muscle fitness was assessed by hand grip strength measurement. Physical activity was assessed using both the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Fitbit devices.
Results
According to correlation analysis, indicators of obesity such as body fat and waist circumference were positively associated with menopausal symptoms. Conversely, muscle fitness and engaging in light physical activity were negatively associated with these symptoms.
Conclusion
This study identified physical indicators in Korean middle-aged women linked to menopausal symptoms. This study suggests that exercise programs for middle-aged women should include resistance training and promote physical activity to improve obesity markers and manage menopausal symptoms for healthy aging.

Keyword

Premenopause; Postmenopause; Body composition; Physical activity; Resistance training

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